What is NLP?
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Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is mainly how to use the language of the mind to consistently achieve specific and
desired outcomes providing you with an ‘instruction manual’ and introduction to your Unconscious Mind. The creators of
NLP Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the mid 1970’s, referred to NLP as
“An attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques.”
The essential attitude is one of curiosity; you may have been so impressed by someone doing something so expertly,
that you want to be able to do the same thing well: “How do they do that?” AND to be willing to do anything, to find
out what would happen if you did. Bandler and Grinder were curious about others in their own field and began
modeling (studying) Milton Erikson (Hypnotherapist), Virginia Satir (Family therapist) and Fritz Perls (Creator of Gesttalt
Therapy). Modeling is the foundation of NLP and therefore, by observing various aspects such as their physiology,
language and thinking, they found that a person would get similar results if you adopt these in the same way.
desired outcomes providing you with an ‘instruction manual’ and introduction to your Unconscious Mind. The creators of
NLP Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the mid 1970’s, referred to NLP as
“An attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques.”
The essential attitude is one of curiosity; you may have been so impressed by someone doing something so expertly,
that you want to be able to do the same thing well: “How do they do that?” AND to be willing to do anything, to find
out what would happen if you did. Bandler and Grinder were curious about others in their own field and began
modeling (studying) Milton Erikson (Hypnotherapist), Virginia Satir (Family therapist) and Fritz Perls (Creator of Gesttalt
Therapy). Modeling is the foundation of NLP and therefore, by observing various aspects such as their physiology,
language and thinking, they found that a person would get similar results if you adopt these in the same way.
What is NLP you may ask?
Let’s consider the three component parts of NLP:
Neuro – refers to the nervous system, your neurology, your brain and includes all your senses: see, hear, touch, smell
and taste. As information comes in, you make sense of it inside your head. This Internal Representation in your
neurology forms your ‘Model of The World’. In turn, this determines how you behave.
Linguistic – since the language (linguistics) you use affects other people’s behaviour, it is very important to structure
your communication in the right way.
Programming – in NLP this refers to your habits, your repeating patterns of thinking and behaving. These programmes
are running unconsciously, which is why you aren’t usually aware of them. Sometimes you achieve your own
programming; sometimes you have your programming ‘installed’ by others, such as parents, teachers, coaches etc. In
NLP what is important is discounting and utilizing programs that consistently work well and achieve excellence. Imagine
buying a mobile phone with no instructions: how would you know how to fully use all the features? Since you were not
born with an instruction manual for your mind, it is ‘messages’ installed from outside, such as parents etc that condition
you.
Neuro – refers to the nervous system, your neurology, your brain and includes all your senses: see, hear, touch, smell
and taste. As information comes in, you make sense of it inside your head. This Internal Representation in your
neurology forms your ‘Model of The World’. In turn, this determines how you behave.
Linguistic – since the language (linguistics) you use affects other people’s behaviour, it is very important to structure
your communication in the right way.
Programming – in NLP this refers to your habits, your repeating patterns of thinking and behaving. These programmes
are running unconsciously, which is why you aren’t usually aware of them. Sometimes you achieve your own
programming; sometimes you have your programming ‘installed’ by others, such as parents, teachers, coaches etc. In
NLP what is important is discounting and utilizing programs that consistently work well and achieve excellence. Imagine
buying a mobile phone with no instructions: how would you know how to fully use all the features? Since you were not
born with an instruction manual for your mind, it is ‘messages’ installed from outside, such as parents etc that condition
you.
This explained, it is true to say that NLP is more than just learning some techniques that you add to what you already
CHOICE to choose your behaviours, emotional states and physical states of well-being. In understanding how the mind
works self-imposed limits are eradicated.
CHOICE to choose your behaviours, emotional states and physical states of well-being. In understanding how the mind
works self-imposed limits are eradicated.